While we are all struggling in lockdown at the moment, why not take up an activity to pass the time away. Why not take up COOKING!
While spending majority of our time at home and stuck indoors, a lot of us have become complacent with what we are eating and putting into our body’s. Lack of motivation, being uninspired to cook along with many other things have caused us students to take the easy way out and call up our local takeaway at least once a week, according to a recent survey conducted by Oxygen.ie. The survey, completed by over 750 respondents, stated that 33% of students order takeaways at least once a week. And their average weekly spend on takeaways is between €10-12.
With money being tight at the moment, why not reduce your takeaway consumption and spend your money on healthy nutritious foods that will save you that little bit of cash and also make you feel a lot stronger and healthier both physically and mentally.
The Ultimate Fakeaway
Instead of ordering a spice bag takeaway at the weekend, why not make your own fakeaway. It is a cheaper, tastier, and healthier alternative to your classic spice bag takeaway from your local Chinese or chipper. While also taking the same amount of time to cook as it would when waiting for your takeaway to arrive at your front door.
Here are all the ingredients that you will need…
- 1 onion
- 1 red pepper
- 1 green pepper
- Chicken Breast Mini Fillets (Salt, Pepper, Chilli flakes, paprika)
- Bag of Potatoes
- Chinese 5 spice seasoning
- 2 eggs
- Breadcrumbs
Total Price: €8.93
Here is a one-minute quick video on how to make the ultimate spice bag fakeaway:
Gigi Hadid’s Vodka Pasta Recipe
If you have not already tried it, why not have a little fun over the weekend and cook Gigi Hadid’s infamous vodka pasta recipe that has appeared on thousands of Tik Tok and Instagram videos around the world, receiving rave reviews.
Here are all the ingredients that you will need…
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 1 small clove of garlic
- ¼ green onion
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon vodka (Not mandatory of course)
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- Salt and pepper
- 50 grams of shells pasta
- 1 tablespoon butter
- ¼ cup parmesan/mozzarella cheese (optional)
- Basil, chopped, to serve.
Of course, you can add chicken or bacon if you like to add some meat to your dish.
Total Price: €8.54
Here is a quick video on how to make Gigi Hadid’s Vodka Pasta Recipe:
Healthy Snacks
Instead of opening the snack cupboard and reaching for the nearest chocolate bar or digestive biscuit. Make your own snacks that are not only healthy and full of energy, but it will provide you with your daily dose of chocolate!
On average, students are spending €74 a week on their food shopping, according to Oxygen.ie’s commercial research survey. Here at Oxygen.ie, we want students to get bang for their buck and make every last cent count. This is why energy balls are a great alternative to your average Cadbury’s chocolate bar.
Cookie Dough Energy Balls Recipe
Cookie dough energy balls are high in nutrient, quick and easy to make and most importantly delicious to taste! The great thing about energy balls is that they have a long shelf life, they can be stored in your fridge for up to 2 months or in your freezer for up to 6 months. An all-round perfect healthy snack to have on the go!
Here is the list of ingredients you will need to make your cookie dough energy balls….
- 2 cups of rolled oats
- 1 cup of dates
- 1 cup of cashew butter or peanut butter
- ½ cup of maple syrup
- 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- ½ cup of mini chocolate chips
Total Price: €10.40
Here is a link on how to make cookie dough energy balls….
Start your day off right!
According to Oxygen.ie’s survey, 75% of students eat breakfast most mornings. And you know what they say, breakfast is the most important meal of the day!
However, if you want a healthy breakfast on a student budget and do not want to break the bank on an avocado. Why not try smoothies!
Frozen fruit smoothies are high in nutrition, more affordable than fresh fruit smoothies and have an indefinite shelf life.
How about trying a healthy breakfast smoothie? All you need is…
- 1 banana
- 2 cups of frozen mixed berries
- 1 tablespoon of natural yoghurt
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 1 cup of apple juice
Total Price: €5.18
The best thing about making smoothies is that the ingredients will get you through a serving of 3 or 4 smoothies, so no need to rush to the shops every time you go to make one.
Baking- Nutella Cake in a Mug!
If you fancy a sweet treat after a week of healthy eating, why not try the instant Nutella cake in a mug! Another Tik Tok recipe, that is super quick and easy to do and you only need 3 ingredients.
The three ingredients that you will need are..
- A jar of Nutella
- 1 egg
- 1 cup of flour
Most of these ingredients you will have lying around the kitchen, but if not, it will cost you…
Total Price: €3.91
Here is a link to the Tik Tok video to help you make your instant Nutella cake in a mug:
Happy Cooking!